Light and fluffy, soft and comfy..ahhhh. Oh hey, sorry about that, I was taking a quick snooze and having a wonderful dream. I was thinking about this article I was going to write for you guys and it put me into dream land! Today we are going to talk about the different types of dog beds. There are so many of these wonderfully dreamy beds (I am laying in mine as I type, ahhhh!) that I don’t want to take up a lot of your time going into detail so I will give you a quick rundown. This will at least let you know of the different types so you can decide which you will choose for your lucky doggie!

Standard

This is a regular ‘pillow’ type bed and the most common. They come in many shapes and sizes. They can be covered in a lots of different materials such as fleece, denim, faux suede or microfiber and they are usually filled with polyester filling or foam padding.



Nested

This is what I have! These can be similar to standard beds except they have raised sides. The base of these beds is usually covered in foam and covered in a washable fabric. They have a round, pillow type bedding found in the middle that is removable.



Donut

Ummmmmm, donuts. My mom dropped a piece of donut once, it was a glazed one. I snatched it up before it even hit the ground and she didn't even notice. Shh, don't tell! Ok so the donut bed is like the nested beds. They have a raised edge, but it is all one piece instead of two. They are more fluffy than hard and offer lots of stretching room.



Kennel

These are mats that can be used inside crates/kennels instead of blankets or sheets. They are much thinner than a regular bed but offer a nice fleece like comfort for long sits in a crate/kennel. The mats could also be used as a travel bed but they aren't going to be as comfortable for your pet when they aren't in a crate/kennel.



Travel

This is just as it sounds; they are much like regular beds but can be folded or easily stored when traveling. They still offer many benefits of a regular bed, but aren’t as bulky! Some roll up, others fold up. Most come in flannel, fleece or nylon. As with kennel beds, these probably won't be as comfortable outside of a travel situation.



Orthopedic

These beds are used for older dogs that have arthritis or joint problems but they can be used for any dog. The beds are made out of thick foam that molds around the joints and offers ample support. They come in a wide variety of shapes and colors, but are very distinct in their ‘rigid’ look.



Heated

These are just what they sound like; cushy, heated beds. Many are shaped just like other beds, but some are more like mats. In almost all of the beds the heating element can be removed and the bed can be washed as with regular beds. They also make heating blankets and pads that can be used with regular beds. Besides the obvious of keeping dogs in cold climates warm, this type of bed is also useful for dogs who are recovering from illness or surgery.

Are you kidding me? Where has this heavenly thing been my whole life? If the temperature goes below 70 degrees, my beehiney is freezing!! I have got to convince my parents to get me one of these!!!



Covered

I didn’t even know that these existed..or maybe I thought they were only for cats? Either way these are tent or house like beds for dogs. They allow them to snuggle up in a covered space. These can be good for dogs that have to stay outdoors as the beds are cozy and keep the wind out. The downside is that they are usually made of cloth so if they are kept outdoors, they need to have a water proof cover over them.



Raised

This type of bed is quite simple but unique. It is has a cot style design that raises your pet off of the ground and cradles the joints. This helps keeps dogs off the cold, damp floor in the winter and promotes air flow during the hot summers. They have a metal or PVC pipe base with a nylon or knit fabric cradle.



Couch or Throne

This is the grand daddy of dog beds; mainly used for royalty (that I am not!). I guess in a way I have my own raised bed because I sleep with my mom and dad at night in their Queen bed! These raised dog beds are smaller versions of a human bed or couch. The ‘mattress’ can be a variety of types; nested, orthopedic, standard, etc. but the frame is raised off the floor in a ‘throne’ type manner.


There are many options to choose from (and prices vary) but many times your dogs can tell you what one will work best for them. Do they like to spread out when they sleep? Then you might consider the raised, throne, orthopedic or standard option. Do you have a smaller dog that loves to curl up? Try the nested or donut option. How about one that is always cold like me? Try the heated or covered versions. You probably can’t make a wrong decision though; any of the beds will make your pet very happy!

It is also important to find a bed that is washable (most of them are) because just like everything else, the bed will get dirty. Most have removal covers that you can wash and dry just like clothing. With so many patterns, colors and designs you can also ensure that your pet bed coordinates with the rest of your house so it will fit in like another piece of furniture!

Hopefully you found this list helpful! I enjoyed telling you all about beds, but boy oh boy did it make me super sleeeeppppyyy again. I better sign off now; my eyes are getting very droopyyyy...zzzzzzzzzz.

Homework
Let me know what pet bed you think is best and if you know where to find great prices on them.


References
Choosing The Right Type Of Bed For Your Dog, Dogbedsforyou.com
Ten Kinds of Dog Beds, Dogs.about.com

Photography credit:
The Pooch Wears Prada, Pet Education, Fetch Dog, Active-Pet-Beds, Dog.com, Pet Bed City, 7 Gadgets, Pet World Shop, PetsTrends, Dog Bed Store